Pedal Desks Can Reduce Health Risks in Sedentary Workplaces

A study found that pedal desks can help sedentary employees achieve their health goals and reduce the risk of illnesses related to physical inactivity, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Researchers at the University of Mbadachusetts, Amherst the United States found that pedaling while performing professional duties improved insulin responses during a test meal.

Post-meal insulin levels were lower when sedentary workers used a pedal console compared to a standard desk. In addition, professional skills were not reduced in pedaling conditions.

Researchers have stated that pedal desks "can potentially achieve public and occupational health goals in sedentary work environments."

They point out that physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle Work environments have badociated with higher rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease by insulin resistance and by d & # 39; Other mechanisms.

"Instead of addressing the problem by trying to reduce intermittent activity to a largely sedentary work routine, we chose to consider integrating Stuart Chipkin, who directed the study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Researchers have found that the alternatives currently available to employees – standing desks and treadmills – are not available. whole and may even be an obstacle, such as standing for too long.

In contrast, a pedal desk can be used in the seated position at the user's pace for as little or as long as the worker

Although there is currently no commercial pedal stand on the market, the researchers were able to use a prototype pedal stand.

They recruited 12 people. s sedentary full-time, six men and six women, obese and tested under two different conditions, pedaling at a speed chosen by themselves for two hours and working sitting for two hours in a typical office. [19659002] In both cases, participants performed computer tasks and were tested for mouse skills, typing speed and accuracy, reading comprehension, and concentration / attention.

Participants also provided blood samples after a light meal for the badysis of metabolic responses of glucose, insulin and free fatty acids, link between obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

Researchers report that the use of a pedal console required far less insulin to maintain glucos Concentrations are compared to the use of the standard console.

"It took a lot less insulin to maintain the same blood glucose level, which means that the body does not work as hard to maintain blood glucose and fatty acid levels with the use of the foot rest relative to at a standard desk, "said Chipkin.

"From a metabolic point of view, the pedal desk seems to be useful and from the point of view of work, the work tasks have not been altered," he said.